Dec 16 Tuesday
Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum
An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century. The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.
This year deck the halls (OK, maybe just the table) in evergreen elegance with a handmade wintergreen centerpiece! Florist extraordinaire, Sam Johnson-Bachmeier, will teach you how to make a beautiful holiday arrangement that will be the envy of all your friends and family! Holiday Greenery is part of Brain Boosters, a series of events and experiences happening all across the City of Aberdeen!
The brain thrives on novelty. Trying new things and picking up new skills helps to improve memory, grow brain cells and boost the release of dopamine! With events scheduled at different locations, such as the Wo’takuye Oyate Kinship Center, K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library, Fit & Fire Studios and NSU’s Innovation Center, participants can connect to each other and their community while learning something new!When: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Time: 6:00-8:00PM Age: General Registration: No registration required
Dec 17 Wednesday
The University Libraries at the University of South Dakota is presenting its biennial international altered book exhibition “Bound and Unbound VIII,” juried by Bratislava, Slovakia-based altered book artist and illustrator, Isobelle Ouzman, now through Jan. 5, 2026.
“Bound and Unbound VIII” is located in the exhibition cases on the second floor of the I.D. Weeks Library. It is open to the public for viewing during library operating hours, which can be found online. The exhibition can also be viewed online in the Digital Library of South Dakota https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/exhibitions/search/searchterm/Bound%20and%20Unbound%208:%20Altered%20Book%20Exhibition/field/relatig/mode/exact/conn/and.
The University Libraries Art and Exhibits Committee, sponsor of the exhibition, seeks to showcase a diverse range of international altered book art, to present the work locally and to build an online research collection of altered books.
Introduce your child to the magical world of books and language through engaging stories, lively songs, and fun activities Story Time is thoughtfully designed to support early literacy development and help prepare your child for future school success. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for young children to build social skills and make new friends.Each session features a new theme or topic, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. Programs typically last about 30 minutes. No registration is required—just drop in! Caregivers are expected to attend with their children.When: Every other Wednesday starting September 3rd through November 26th Time: 10:00-10:30AM Registration: No registration requiredThemes:- Sept 17th – Rabbits- Oct 1st – Author Feature – Melanie Watt- Oct 15th – Zoo- Oct 29th – Halloween (can wear costumes if they want)- Nov 12th – Polar Bears- Nov 26th – Dinosaurs
Step into the magic of the season at our Nordic Yule Market, open October 11 – January 10 at the South Dakota Art Museum Shop! Inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets, this festive shopping experience features:• Handcrafted gifts from Nordic and local artists (50 new vendors!)• Special events including live music, sip & shop, and family-friendly activities• A cozy reading corner• Meet & greets with your favorite characters• Free gift wrapping on select days Every purchase supports museum exhibitions and programming—thank you for making a difference with your holiday shopping! Mark your calendars for extra-special dates:• Nov. 20–22: Gifting for Good Holiday Sale (with area cultural institution stores!)• Dec. 4: Sip & Shop with Nordic band Project Constellation & free gift wrapping• December 13, 10 – 12: Meet Anna and Elsa at Community Art Day!• Open until 7 on Thursday's in November and December Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and event details! Event Dates/Times:Open October 11th – January 10th• Saturday’s 10 – 4• Sunday’s 12 – 4
• Monday – Friday’s 10 – 5
• Open until 7 on Thursdays in November and December
• Open until 8 on Friday, October 24th• December 18th 5 – 7, Santa Meet and Greet Closure dates:• October 13th
• November 11th
• November 27th
• November 28th
• December 25th
• December 26th
• January 1st
• January 4th
Pie and Bingo!Come to the library and play a few rounds of bingo, win prizes, and enjoy a slice of pie with friends as you listen to a guest speaker or musician from the community. Everyone is welcome. No registration required.When: Wednesdays, Jan. 15th, Feb. 19th, Mar. 19th, April 16th, May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, Aug. 20th, Sept. 17th, Oct. 15th, Nov. 19th, and Dec. 17th.Time: 1:30-3:00PMAge: General/AdultRegistration: No registration required
Dec 18 Thursday
Join us for a special program just for you and your baby! Spend quality time together and connect with other parents, caregivers, and little ones at the library. Snuggle Up with Stories features songs, books, rhymes, and more—all thoughtfully planned with babies in mind. This 20-minute program supports your baby’s early development by building listening, language, and motor skills in a fun, nurturing environment. Please come prepared to sit on the floor with your baby in your lap. Activities are one-on-one to encourage bonding and interaction. Have an older child with you? No problem—we’ll have coloring sheets or other quiet activities available to help keep them engaged.When: Every other Thursday starting Sept 11th through Nov20th Time: 10:00-10:30AM Registration: No registration
